Concerns are mounting over the deteriorating condition of the athletics track at Cheltenham’s Prince of Wales stadium, with local athletes reportedly suffering injuries linked to its poor state. Cheltenham and County Harriers, a prominent athletics club in the town, is urging the council to invest in urgent repairs to bring the facility back up to standard.
In 2022, the track at Tommy Taylors Lane failed England Athletics’ trackmark accreditation, rendering it unsuitable for licensed competitions. Since then, Cheltenham and County Harriers have been prevented from hosting 24 scheduled matches, hampering the club’s ability to support its athletes.
Jane Woolley, team manager and administrator for various youth squads, expressed deep disappointment at the lack of progress. “Our training facilities remain in poor condition, which is contributing to injuries among our young athletes,” she said. “We have had no action despite the track being officially deemed unfit for competition. The club spends over £50,000 annually just to hire the existing, inadequate facilities, and yet there is no viable alternative.”
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Crispian Webb, the acting chairman of the Harriers, highlighted the urgency of resurfacing the track, which was last refurbished around 2012 with a minor surface ‘topping’. “The track surface clearly requires replacement — this was identified back in 2022 — yet there is still no timeline for this essential work,” he stated. “It has been approximately 20 years since the track received a full surface overhaul. What financial planning has been made towards covering these known costs?”
Polly Symondson, representing the club, questioned council leaders about their plans to address the issue and called for clarity on when repairs would begin to restore the track to a safe and competitive standard.
Cheltenham Borough Council clarified their responsibilities, noting they oversee the facility’s structural maintenance, including the track, while Cheltenham Trust manages day-to-day operations such as cleaning and liaising with user groups like the Harriers.
Currently, no dedicated funds are allocated for track replacement, projected to cost just under £500,000 based on an October 2024 assessment. Cabinet member Peter Jeffries acknowledged the aging state of both the Leisure@ and Prince of Wales facilities and confirmed that a recent comprehensive assessment and financial analysis has been commissioned to explore potential options. Recommendations will be forthcoming for council consideration.
Councillor Izaac Tailford emphasized that, despite its shortcomings, the track remains open and safe for general use, though it does not meet England Athletics’ standards at present.
The ongoing delay in upgrading the Prince of Wales stadium track continues to impede the development and safety of Cheltenham’s promising young athletes, leaving the community hopeful for swift action and investment.